Control mechanism for preselection counter



April 5, 1966 H. KREBSDZIO 3,244,366

CONTROL MECHANISM FOR PRESELECTION COUNTER Filed May 4. 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 7

much me April 5, 1966 H. KREBSDZIO I 3,244,366

CONTROL MECHANISM FOR PRESELECTION COUNTER Filed May 4, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 2

April 5, 1966 KREBSDZIQ 3,244,366

CONTROL MECHANISM FOR PRESELECTION COUNTER Filed May 4-. 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. 3

/WA'A/TOR HORST KIM/380x10 8) v C A ril 5, 1966 H. KREBSDZIO 3,244,366

CONTROL MECHANISM FOR PRESELECTION COUNTER Filed May 4. 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR HORST KREBSDZIO ATTORNEYS United States Patent 'ice 3,244,366 CONTROL MECHANISM FOR PRESELECTION COUNTER Horst Krebsdzio, Peine, Germany, assignor to Elmeg Elektro-Meclianih G.rn.b.H., Peine, Germany Filed May 4, 1964, Ser. No. 364,532 Claims priority, application Germany, May 9, 1963, E 24,809 Claims. (Cl. 235-132) The present invention relates to a control mechanism for use in connection with a preselection counter for insuring that, after the counter is rotated to a certain position, figure or number by receiving a preselected number of impulses and has then instigated a particular control function, the counter will be automatically returned by suitable resetting means to its original or zero position and will during the return movement not be acted upon by any further impulses which might interfere with its complete return.

The apparatus which are known for accomplishing this purpose generally employ special relays which are sometimes also combined with the counter so as to form a single structural unit. When the particular number to which the counter has been preset is reached, these relays switch off any additional impulses which might arrive and also start the resetting means.

Such relays have the disadvantage of requiring substantially the same amount of space as the counter itself and of also increasing the cost of the counter very considerably.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a very simple and inexpensive control mechanism for a preselection counter which requires considerably less space and is of a much lower cost and also more reliable in operation than the known relay mechanisms. This is accomplished according to the invention by providing suitable mechanical means which are operatively associated with the preselection counter and are adapted to prevent any impulses from acting upon the counter from the time when the latter has reached the pre-:

selected position or number and during the following period of the resetting operation until the counter has been completely reset to its original or zero position.

Assuming that the counter is only equipped with a single number wheel, the invention provides that a circular disk, the peripheral surface of which is provided with a notch, may be positively connected to the number wheel after being adjusted in a peripheral direction so that its notch is located in a particular position in relation to the position of the preselected number on the number wheel from which this wheel should then be returned to its zero position. A pin, roller, or the like on one end of a lever is adapted to slide or roll along the peripheral surface of the notched disk and to engage into the notch thereof when the preselected number is reached. This lever is operatively connected to a locking member which is associated with two resilient or spring-loaded trip members, each of which is associated with a separate pushbutton switch or the like, the first of which is con nected to a control magnet, while the second is connected into the impulse line leading to the counter and is adapted to interrupt this impulse line. Depending upon the type of resetting means which are employed for returning the counter to its zero position either the first switch or the movement of the control magnet or of any other movable element of the mechanism may also be employed for starting the resetting means. Thus, when the preselected counter number is reached and the pin or roller on the end of the lever engages into the notch of the circular disk which is connected to the number wheel, the

3,244,366 Patented Apr. 5, 1966 lever is pivoted together with the locking member which thereby releases the trip member of the first switch so that the latter is actuated and energizes the control magnet. This control magnet is connected to one arm of a ball crank and adapted to pivot the latter about its axis so that its second arm which is located between the trip members of the two switches will act successively upon both of these switches. Until this time, that is, until the pin or roller engages into the notch of the circular disk and before the control magnet is energized, this second arm of the bell crank presses the second trip member against the second switch so that the impulses can reach the counter and rotate the same up to the preselected number and thereby also turn the notched disk to a corresponding position. When the control magnet is actuated by the operation of the first switch, the bell crank is pivoted so that its second arm disengages from the trip member of the second switch which thereby interrupts the impulse line leading to the counter so that no further impulses can reach the latter. As soon as this actuation of the second switch has occurred and the impulse line has been interrupted, the resetting means are started which as stated above-rnay be eifected by any of the means of the mechanism which have so far been moved, and the counter is quickly returned to its zero position. This resetting operation is completed at least by the time when the bell crank nears the end of its first pivoting movement from the second toward the first switch when it hits against the trip member of the first switch and presses the same against this switch which is thereby actuated so as to switch off the control magnet which then returns to its original position and thereby also pivots the bell crank back against the trip member of the second switch and actuates the latter so that the impulse line is again opened and any impulses which may subsequently arrive will again act upon the counter to start it again from its zero position. When the bell crank at the end of its first pivoting movement hits against the trip member of the first switch, the locking member drops again behind this trip member and thereby locks the first switch so that the control magnet will remain deenergized, while the second switch will again be locked in its original position by the return of the bell crank and its pressure against the trip member of the second switch.

If the counter is provided with several number wheels a separate notched disk is connected to each of these wheels. Suitable conventional means, for example, a rod or roller of a sufiicient length so as to extend across all of the notched circular disks, may then be provided for insuring that the locking member will not be actuated to disengage from the trip member of the first switch until the notches of all of the circular disks are in alignment with each other and the rod or roller can engage into all of the notches.

The features and advantages of the present invention will become further apparent from the following detailed description thereof which is to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 diagrammatically illustrates the control mechanism in a position during the counting operation of the counter and the corresponding rotary movement of the notched disk or disks;

FIGURE 2 shows the control mechanism in the position which corresponds to the position of the counter wheel or wheels when arriving at the preselected number; while FIGURE 3 shows the control mechanism in the posi tion which corresponds to the zero position of the counter Wheel or Wheels at the end of the resetting operation.

FIGURE 4 shows a switching circuit in which the im- 3 pulse transmission is interrupted also during the declining or dropping time of the resetting magnet.

FIGURE shows a switching arrangement for the automatic renewed preselection with interruption of the impulse transmission during the entire time of renewed preselection.

For the purpose of illustration, it is first assumed that the preselection counter has only a single counter or number wheel 1 which is turned by electric impulses and adapted, when it reaches a certain preselected number of angular position, to return automatically to its original zero position. The control mechanism according to the invention which is provided for controlling the resetting movement of the counter and for preventing any impulses from reaching the counter during its return movement comprises a circular disk 1 which is adapted to be positively connected to the counter wheel 1' after being adjusted in the peripheral direction so that a notch 2 in the peripheral surface of disk 1 is disposed in a certain position in a fixed relation to the preselected number on the counter wheel 1. A pin or roller 3' on the free end of a lever 3 which is pivotable about an axis 3 is adapted to slide or roll along the peripheral surface of disk 1 and to engage into the notch 2 when the preselected number on the counterwheel 1 is reached. When the lever 3 is thus pivoted downwardly, it swings a locking arm 4 in the clockwise direction so that a tooth 4 on its outer end disengages from a resilient or spring-loaded trip member 5 which due to its resilience then moves in the direction of the arrow as shown in FIGURE 1 and thereby actuates a pushbutton switch 6. This switch 6 then energizes a resetting magnet 7 so that its armature 8 is drawn downwardly in the direction of the arrow as shown in FIGURE 2. The outer end of the armature 8 is pivotally connected by a link 9 to the free end of one arm of a bell crank 10 which is pivotable about a stationary axis 1d, while the end of its other arm is disposed between the trip member 5 of the first switch 6 and a similar trip member 11 of a second switch 12 which is connected into the impulse line leading to the counter. By the downward movement of armature 8, the bell crank 10 is pivoted so that its upper arm moves toward the left from the position as shown in FIGURE 2 to that according to FIGURE 3 and thereby disengages from the trip member 11 which due to its spring action disengages from the second switch 12 so that the latter will be actuated and interrupt the impulse line so that no further impulses can act upon the counter until it is reset to its zero position. When the switch 12 is actuated and the impulse line is interrupted, suitable control means are actuated to start the resetting movement of the counter and its number wheel 1. These control means are conventional adjuncts of the counter wheel reset means 13 shown diagrammatically in all the figures of the drawings. Such means are well known as exemplified in the patents in Class 235444, and as also exemplified by the definition of the latter subclass.

When the resetting operation is completed and the counter wheel 1' and the notched disk 1 are again in the zero position, the individual parts of the control mechanism are located in the positions as illustrated in FIG- URE 3, in which the bell crank 16 presses the trip member 5 against the first switch 6 and thereby actuates the same, and the locking arm 4 pivots by gravity to its original posiiton in which its tooth 4' engages with and locks the trip member 5. By this actuation of switch 6 the control magnet 7 is switched off so that the armature 8 together with bell crank 10 and the connecting link 9 are then moved back to their original positions as shown in FIGURE 1, in which the trip mernbr 11 again presses against and actuates the second switch 12 so that any impulses which might subsequently arrive will act upon the counter to start the next counting operation from the zero position of the counter wheel 1 and the notched disk 1, as shown in FIGURE 3.

The switching circuit according to FIGURE 4 is one in which the impulse transmission is interrupted during the declining or dropping time of the resetting magnet 7. The switching-off or disengagement of the impulse power or transmission is effected with a certain delay which is due to the fact that the contacts are successively switched in or engaged.

FIGURE 5 shows a particularly stabable switching arrangement for the automatic renewed preselection with interruption of the impulse transmission during the entire time of renewed preselection, namely by a series connection of the two contacts.

If the counter is provided with several number wheels 1, each number wheel is connected to a separate notched disk 1 which is adjustable relative thereto so that when the number wheels 1 indicate the preselected number the notches 2 on all of the disks 1 will be in alignment with each other. Lever 3 may then carry a roller 3 which has a sufficient length so as to extend transversely across all of these disks as exemplified by Hazard et 211., 2,538,243. Lever 3 will then not be pivoted until the preselected number on the counter wheels 11 is reached and all of the notches 2 of disks 1 are in alignment with each other in a direction parallel to the common axis of the counter wheels 1'.

Although my invention has been illustrated and described with reference to the preferred embodiment thereof, I wish to have it understood that it is in no way limited to the details of such embodiment, but is capable of numerous modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus fully disclosed my invention, what I claim 1. A control mechanism for a preselection counter responsive to impulses and having indicating means adapted to be moved in one direction to a preselected position, and resetting means for automatically returning said indicating means to the zero position after reaching said preselected position, said control mechanism comprising mechanical means associated with said counter, and switch means adapted to be acted upon 'by said mechanical means to prevent any impulses from acting upon said counter after said indicating means reach said preselected position and during the return movement thereof until said indicating means have been reset to the zero position, said indicating means comprising at least one counter wheel, said mechanical means comprising a circular disk connected to and rotatable together with said counter Wheel and having a notch in its peripheral surface in a position in a [fixed relation to the preselected position of said counter wheel, a lever pivotable about a fixed axis and having an end portion adapted to engage with said peripheral surface of said disk and to drop into said notch when said counter wheel is turned to said preselected position, a locking member operatively associated with and adapted to be moved by said lever in accordance with the pivoting movement thereof, said switch means comprising a first switch and a second switch spaced from each other, said second switch connected into an impulse line leading to said counter and when depressed to its closed position closing said impulse line so that impulses can act upon said counter, and when released to its open position interrupting said impulse line so that no impulses can reach said counter during the period of the return of said counter wheel to its zero position, a control magnet having an armature, a bell crank pivotable about a fixed axis, a link pivota bly connecting one arm of said hell crank to said armature, the end of the second arm of said ibell crank disposed between said switches, said first switch being electrically connected to said magnet and adapted to energize the same when said counter 'wheel reaches said preselected position and the end portion of said lever drops into said notch and said locking member thereby disengages from said first switch, whereby said armature is moved by said magnet and said bell crank is thereby pivoted from its first position in which it :holds said second switch in said closed position to a second position in which, after said second switch is released to its open position and said imlpulse line is thereby interrupted, it depresses said first switch to switch off said magnet so that said bell crank is pivoted back against and actuates said second switch so as again to close said impulse line, and means controlled by one of the movable elements of said mechanism to actuate said resetting means to return said counter wheel to its Zero position during the period in which said impulse line is interrupted by said second switch.

2. A control mechanism as defined in claim .1, in which said circular disk is adjustable in the peripheral direc tion relative to said counter wheel to permit the position of said notch to be adjusted and fixed in relation to said preselected position on said counter wheel.

3. A control mechanism as defined in claim 1, in which said indicating means comprise a plurality of counter wheels and said mechanical means comprise a separate circular notched disk connected to each of said counter Wheels, said end portion of said lever comprising an elongated member extending parallel to the common axis of said notched disk and having a suificient length to extend across all of said disks and adapted to engage with 6 the peripheral surfaces of said disks and to drop into the notches thereof when said counter wheels are turned to said preselected position and said notches are in alignment with each other.

4. A control mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said lever and said locking mem ber each have an end pivoted on said fixed axis.

5. A control mechanism according to claim 4 wherein said free end portion of said lever comprises roller means, said notc'h releasably receiving said roller means and said roller means being adapted to roll on said peripheral surface, rotation of said counter wheel means causing said roller means to leave said notch and roll on said peripheral surface.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,219,636 10/1940 Schwartz 235l32 2,538,243 1/1951 Hazard et al 235--132 2,764,350 9/ 1956 Br-aatz 235-132 LEO SMI-LOW, Primary Examiner.

C. G. COVELL, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A CONTROL MECHANISM FOR A PRESELECTION COUNTER RESPONSIVE TO IMPULSES AND HAVING INDICATING MEANS ADAPTED TO BE MOVED IN ONE DIRECTION TO A PRESELECTED POSITION, AND RESETTING MEANS FOR AUTOMATICALLY RETURNING SAID INDICATING MEANS TO THE ZERO POSITION AFTER REACHING SAID PRESELECTED POSITION, SAID CONTROL MECHANISM COMPRISING MECHANICAL MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID COUNTER, AND SWITCH MEANS ADAPTED TO BE ACTED UPON BY SAID MECHANICAL MEANS TO PREVENT ANY IMPULSES FROM ACTING UPON SAID COUNTER AFTER SAID INDICATING MEANS REACH SAID PRESELECTED POSITION AND DURING THE RETURN MOVEMENT THEREOF UNTIL SAID INDICATING MEANS HAVE BEEN RESET TO THE ZERO POSITION, SAID INDICATING MEANS COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE COUNTER WHEEL, SAID MECHANICAL MEANS COMPRISING A CIRCULAR DISK CONNECTED TO AND ROTATABLE TOGETHER WITH SAID COUNTER WHEEL AND HAVING A NOTCH IN ITS PERIPHERAL SURFACE IN A POSITION IN A FIXED RELATION TO THE PRESELCTED POSITION OF SAID COUNTER WHEEL, A LEVER PIVOTABLE ABOUT A FIXED AXIS AND HAVING AN END PORTION ADAPTED TO ENGAGE WITH SAID PERIPHERAL SURFACE OF SAID DISK AND TO DROP INTO SAID NOTCH WHEN SAID COUNTER WHEEL IS TURNED TO SAID PRESELECTED POSITION, A LOCKING MEMBER OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH AND ADAPTED TO BE MOVED BY SAID LEVER IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PIVOTING MOVEMENT THEREOF, SAID SWITCH MEANS COMPRISING A FIRST SWITCH AND A SECOND SWITCH SPACED FROM EACH OTHER, SAID SECOND SWITCH CONNECTED INTO AN IMPULSE LINE LEADING TO SAID COUNTER AND WHEN DEPRESSED TO ITS CLOSED POSITION CLOSING SAID IMPULSE LINE SO THAT IMPULSES CAN ACT UPON SAID COUNTER, AND WHEN RELEASED TO ITS OPEN POSTION INTERRUPTING SAID IMPULSE LINE SO THAT NO IMPULSES CAN REACH SAID COUNTER DURING THE PERIOD OF THE RETURN OF SAID COUNTER WHEEL TO ITS ZERO POSITION, A CONTROL MAGNET HAVING AN ARMATURE, A BELL CRANK PIVOTABLE ABOUT A FIXED AXIS, A LINK PIVOTABLY CONNECTING ONE ARM OF SAID BELL CRANK TO SAID ARMATURE, THE END OF THE SECOND ARM OF SAID BELL CRANK DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID SWITCHES, SAID FIRST SWITCH BEING ELECTRICALLY CONNECTED TO SAID MAGNET AND ADAPTED TO ENERGIZE THE SAME WHEN SAID COUNTER WHEEL REACHES SAID PRESELECTED POSITION AND THE END PORTION OF SAID LEVER DROPS INTO SAID NOTCH AND SAID LOCKING MEMBER THEREBY DISENGAGES FROM SAID FIRST SWITCH, WHEREBY SAID ARMATURE IS MOVED BY SAID MAGNET AND SAID BELL CRANK IS THEREBY PIVOTED FROM IT FIRST POSITION IN WHICH IT HOLDS SAID SECOND SWITCH IN SAID CLOSED POSITION TO A SECOND POSITION IN WHICH, AFTER SAID SECOND SWITCH IS RELEASE TO ITS OPEN POSITION AND SAID IMPULSE LINE IS THEREBY INTERRUPTED, IT DEPRESSES SAID FIRST SWITCH TO SWITCH OFF SAID MAGNET SO THAT SAID BELL CRANK IS PIVOTED BACK AGAINST AND ACTUATES SAID SECOND SWITCH SO AS AGAIN TO CLOSE SAID IMPULSE LINE, AND MEANS CONTROLLED BY ONE OF THE MOVABLE ELEMENTS OF SAID MECHANISM TO ACTUATE SAID RESETTING MEANS TO RETURN SAID COUNTER WHEEL TO IS ZERO POSITION DURING THE PERIOD IN WHICH SAID IMPULSE LINE IS INTERRUPTED BY SAID SECOND SWITCH. 